Upper frame structure

ABSTRACT

An excavator upper frame structure is constructed of a combination or rolled steel framing and at least one cast-formed steel cross-member. The cast cross-members include a plurality of pivot brackets with coaxially aligned bores to permit a single step machining operation of the bores.

United States Patent [191 Scoggin et a1.

[ Nov. 25, 1975 1 1 UPPER FRAME STRUCTURE [75] Inventors: Barry Alan Scoggin, Yorkville;

Harvey Albert Knell, Joliet, both of [73] Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor C0., Peoria, 111.

[22] Filed: May 17, 1974 [21] Appl. No.: 470,858

[52] US. Cl. 214/132; 214/130 R [51] Int. Cl. E02F 3/36 [58] Field of Search 214/130 R, 132; 212/8 R, 212/8 A, 8 B, 9, 35 R, 35 HC, 144;180/89,

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,627,983 2/1953 Lathers, .lr. 212/8 R 2.790.568 4/1957 Mandt 214/132 2,856,706 10/1958 Hacker 214/132 3,071,254 l/1963 Stilley 212/8 B Primary ExaminerRobert .1. Spar Assistant Examiner-Ross Weaver Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Philips, Moore, Weissenberger Lempio & Strabala [57] ABSTRACT An excavator upper frame structure is constructed of a combination or rolled steel framing and at least one cast-formed steel cross-member. The cast crossmembers include a plurality of pivot brackets with coaxially aligned bores to permit a single step machining operation of the bores.

6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures U.S. Patent Nov. 25, 1975 Sheetlof3 3,921,834

U.S. Patant Nov. 25, 1975 Sheet30f3 3,921,834

UPPER FRAME STRUCTURE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION sive fixtures to accurately position the members to be welded. Additional positioning of brackets and other such members for mounting the boom and boom cylinders and the like require intricate and expensive fixtures and the like for accurate positioning. These brackets and other members required for structural strength also require expensive fixtures and intricate weld procedures.

Additional problems are created by converging rails and other non-parallel members on which brackets and the like are mounted. Such converging members require that the brackets be mounted slightly askew to assure proper alignment for the boom and cylinders. The fabrication and storage of such frame fixtures can require considerable space.

SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved frame structure that is susceptible to ease in fabrication.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a method of fabricating frames that considerably reduces the need for complex and expensive fixtures for holding and positioning members of the frame for welding.

In accordance with the present invention, a frame structure for the upper platform of an excavator is constructed of a combination of rolled steel rails and cast steel crossmembers. The rails converge at the forward end of the frame and are connected together by means of a cast-formed cross-member that is welded thereto. The cross-member includes a plurality of brackets having bores that are in substantial alignment to permit a single boring operation to finish the bores.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an excavator machine incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top elevational view of the front portion of the platform frame structure for the machine of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a view taken generally along lines IIIIII of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along lines IV-IV of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines V-V of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION or PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 there is illustrated an excavator designated generally by the numeral 10 having a main frame indicated generally at 12 defining a slowing or rotating platform upon which an engine (not shown) and hydraulic components are mounted and enclosed in a housing indicated generally at 14. An operators station and compartment is generally designated at 16 and mounted on the forward end of the platform with a boom 18 pivotally mounted adjacent thereto with a pair of boom cylinders 20 (one shown) operatively connected for raising and lowering the boom.

The main frame 12 is mounted for rotation by means of a swing mechanism 22 which in turn is secured to a lower frame assembly or car body 24. The lower frame 24 is mounted on a pair of track roller frames 26 which in turn are mounted on track roller assemblies including an endless track 28 for translation of the machine. Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a top view of the forward section of the upper frame 12. As can be seen in FIG. 2 the operator station generally indicated at 16 comprises a portion of the frame illustrated in the upper right hand corner of the figure and extending forward of the portion of the frame to which is pivotally connected the boom and boom lift motors.

The critical part of the frame comprises a castformed cross-member 30 suitably connected by welding to a pair of converging main frame rails 32 and 34. The main frame rails 32 and 34 may be of any suitable cross-sectional configuration, but are preferably boxshaped to enhance structural strength and ridigity. The cross-member and rails are joined by welding at points 36 and 38. A pair of boom lift cylinder brackets 40 and 42 and a slave cylinder bracket 44 are cast in place with member 30 as it is cast-formed. This provides a convenient method of easily forming and locating the brackets without the use of complicated fixtures. In addition, the brackets are aligned so that the pin bores are coaxial and thus can be bored with a single straight through boring operation. A plurality of mounting pins 46, 48 and 50, respectively, fit into the bores to retain the cylinders in place.

A pair of boom support brackets 52 and 54 are mounted on the forward end of the rails 32 and 34 and include pivot pins 56 and 58. A tubular cross-member 60 is secured, such as by welding, between the two beams 32 and 34 at the forward end thereof just beneath the brackets 52 and 54 to add further strength and rigidity to the frame member. As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cross-member 60 is secured just above the main frame members 32 and 34 and just below and between the brackets to add further strength and rigidity to the brackets and the frame member.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the cross-member 30 is first formed with a body portion having a substantially C- configuration and including a plurality of brackets. Thereafter a plate 62 is welded over the open portion of the C-shaped channel thereby making member 30 a tubular structural member. This adds further rigidity to the member 30 permitting less complicated problems with casting the member and makes it considerably lighter.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the hydraulic lift motor or cylinder brackets 40 and 42 are mounted forward of and slightly below the boom pivot brackets 52 and 54.

While the present invention has been described with respect to a single embodiment, it is to be understood that numerous changes and modifications may be made in the disclosed embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An excavator platform frame assembly comprising in combination:

a lower frame for mounting a plurality of ground engaging wheels;

an upper platform support frame, having forward and rearward ends, for supporting a boom and an operators station for rotation about a vertical axis on said lower frame;

forwardly extending frame means defining an operator station support means at the forward end and to one side of said upper frame;

means defining boom pivot and support means adjacent to and at one side of said operator station support frame means for supporting a boom for extension in a forward direction;

said boom pivot and support means comprising a pair of converging rails;

a cast formed cross-member welded to the forward end of said rails;

a plurality of motor brackets cast-formed integral with said cross-member, said brackets having coaxially aligned pivot pin bores; and,

a pair of boom pivot brackets secured to the upper side of said converging rails.

2. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said motor brackets are forward of and lower than said boom brackets.

3. The frame assembly of claim 2 wherein said castformed cross-member is of a generally C-shaped configuration in cross-section having said brackets formed at the back of said C-configuration.

4. The frame assembly of claim 3 including a plate welded across the open side of said C-shaped castformed member to form a generally tubular crossmember.

5. The frame assembly of claim 3 wherein said operator station support means comprise a generally rectangular frame formed to one side and generally forward of the forward end of said converging rails.

6. The frame assembly of claim 4 comprising a generally tubular cross-member extending between and secured to said converging rails at said boom pivot brackets. 

1. An excavator platform frame assembly comprising in combination: a lower frame for mounting a plurality of ground engaging wheels; an upper platform support frame, having forward and rearward ends, for supporting a boom and an operator''s station for rotation about a vertical axis on said lower frame; forwardly extending frame means defining an operator station support means at the forward end and to one side of said upper frame; means defining boom pivot and support means adjacent to and at one side of said operator station support frame means for supporting a boom for extension in a forward direction; said boom pivot and support means comprising a pair of converging rails; a cast formed cross-member welded to the forward end of said rails; a plurality of motor brackets cast-formed integral with said cross-member, said brackets having coaxially aligned pivot pin bores; and, a pair of boom pivot brackets secured to the upper side of said converging rails.
 2. The frame assembly of claim 1 wherein said motor brackets are forward of and lower than said boom brackets.
 3. The frame assembly of claim 2 wherein said cast-formed cross-member is of a generally C-shaped configuration in cross-section having said brackets formed at the back of said C-configuration.
 4. The frame assembly of claim 3 including a plate welded across the open side of said C-shaped cast-formed member to form a generally tubular cross-member.
 5. The frame assembly of claim 3 wherein said operator station support means comprise a generally rectangular frame formed to one side and generally forward of the forward end of said converging rails.
 6. The frame assembly of claim 4 comprising a generally tubular cross-member extending between and secured to said converging rails at said boom pivot brackets. 